Chandigarh, June 24:
Pulling up its socks well in 4 months advance of the Paddy procurement season 2025, Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann undertook a path breaking initiative by constituting a Group of Ministers (GoM) for supervising food grain procurement and ensuring smooth Wheat and Paddy Procurement in the coming seasons in the State. The GoM held its first meeting today at Punjab Bhawan Chandigarh.
Notably the group comprises Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian as Chairman and Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal as Members.
The Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Rahul Tiwari gave a presentation on the planning being done for ensuring a smooth & hassle free paddy procurement season which would commence from 1st October 2025 and last till mid November.
As regards the core issue of space creation concerning the storage aspect in view of the coming Paddy procurement season, the Group of Ministers was apprised that all out efforts are being made in this connection and 40 LMT of space would be created by December this year. Furthermore, around 82-83 LMT of space would be created by end of June next year.
The Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian assured that all genuine issues of the Millers Arhtiyas and Farmers would be resolved and the issues requiring intervention of Union Government/FCI will be taken up with them at the highest level. He further said that the State Government is doing its level best to ensure ample space for storage.
Highlighting a major achievement, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian shared that over 100 lakh metric tons (LMT) of rice has already been delivered, with a projected total of 117 LMT by July 31.
On the occasion, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak informed that nearly 175-180 LMT paddy is expected to arrive in the mandis in the coming Kharif Marketing Season and the State Government is making all requisite arrangements for the proper upkeep of the same. Regarding space issue, he elaborated that proposals for construction of 46 LMT godowns have been sent by the High Level Committee to the Union Government. He also added that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally taking up the issue with the Union Government.
Exhorting the farmers to use only expert recommended seeds, Mr. Kataruchak asked them to desist from usage of spurious varieties. He reiterated that the Punjab Government stands fully committed to procure every single bale of grain at the MSP. Further, to lower the content of moisture in the crops, he advised the farming community to use combines only between 10 Am to 6 PM.
While urging the Union Government to ensure regular movement of grains from Punjab’s godowns, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar noted that at least 12 lakh metric tons (LMT) of grains need to be moved monthly to accommodate the new paddy crop. They also expressed confidence that the Centre would consider the state’s demand positively.
Reiterating State Government’s commitment to procuring every grain of paddy from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal stressed that the formation of this Group of Ministers underscores the government’s dedication to ensuring farmers’ welfare and supporting their agricultural endeavours.
It was further pointed out that the labour and cartege policy besides the transportation policy have been finalized and sent to the State Government for approval.
Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tewari, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Ramvir, MD PUNSUP Sonali Giri, Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and GM (Finance) Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Sarvesh Kumar.
